This dad of two can dice with death nine months of the year in the world’s most volatile region.

As a foreign correspondent for more than 20 years and the BBC’s Middle East Editor, Jeremy Bowen always has a bag packed with his flak jacket, first aid kit, helmet and portable kettle.

But the Cardiff-born broadcaster who has witnessed war and bloodshed first-hand says: “Having kids – it changes everything in your life.”

Last year he was away from home for nine months as violent uprisings erupted across the Arab world.

“That was exceptional. I’m usually away five or six months. You get used to living in two worlds,” Jeremy said.

His approach to living in those two worlds has changed since having children.

Mattie, 11 and Jack nine, know their father’s job is risky, as does his wife Julia Williams – also a BBC journalist.

They don’t dwell on the perils but reporting from conflict zones, carries the danger of being wounded or killed, Jeremy acknowledges.

Earlier this year his friend, Sunday Times journalist Marie Colvin, was killed in Syria and he has lost many associates over the years, including his fixer Abed Abed Takkoush, in Lebanon in 2000, a tragedy, which prompted post traumatic stress disorder.

When Mattie was born, Jeremy hung up his flak jacket and presented Breakfast on BBC One between 2000 and 2002, saying he wanted to see her grow up.

In 2003 son Jack was born and he turned down the chance to cover the invasion of Iraq from Baghdad, but world affairs were calling and the broadcaster wanted part of the action. Later that year Jeremy was back on the road, and in 2005 took the post of BBC Middle East Editor.

“I felt I had more to do as a journalist,” he explained.

“The biggest kick for me is when you are in a place the world is looking at and you’re the person whose job it is to tell the world what’s happening. The kinds of places I go – it feels like history.”

And indeed it is. Jeremy interviewed Muammar Gaddafi before he was torn to death by opposition forces, reported from behind government lines in Misrata, covered demonstrations in Egypt’s Tahrir Square and spoke to President Bashar al-Assad before Syria descended into civil war.

Behind the stories Jeremy and his crew negotiate their way through countries in conflict, trying to avoid gunfire, bombs, shells and whatever other threats cross their path.

Since having children Jeremy, 52, admits he’s less gung ho about war though.

“I used to do a lot more dangerous things than I do now. I used to do frontline stuff when I was younger, in my late twenties. I had some moments of sheer terror then.

“Now when I find myself in dangerous situations I don’t like it very much. I wouldn’t say I get scared but I’m very conscious that having seen a lot of violence we are very vulnerable.”

The way he interprets what he sees has also altered, he says.

“Before I had kids I did lots of stories about children having a hard time in wars, revolutions and earthquakes.

“You feel it in a completely different way once you have kids because you imagine your own children in that situation.

Witnessing violence and despair at work Jeremy has learned to unwind before going home to be a father.

“Since I’ve had kids I decompress first.

“I decompress by getting a later flight home and going to the pool or something. You need to relax.”

Flying home via Jerusalem Jeremy says he knows the timetable by heart, although his schedule is not as hectic now as it was when he was in his twenties and zipping around the world at the drop of a hat.

The son of a journalist and a photographer the broadcaster grew up wanting to be a foreign correspondent.

After Cardiff High School he studied history and international studies at universities in London and the USA before joining the BBC in 1984.

Reporting the Arab conflict on camera he took copious notes, which he has now compiled into a book. The Arab Uprisings tells the story of people on the street as well as those in power or fighting power.

Writing the book meant Jeremy was home more than usual last spring, but whatever the risks, reporting from the world’s hotspots are clearly his home from home.

“I feel very privileged doing what I do and it’s real responsibility,” he said.

* The Arab Uprisings The People Want The Fall Of The Regime by Jeremy Bowen is published by Simon and Schuster.